Guillermo Zúñiga > ECIJA > San Jose, Costa Rica > Lawyer Profile

The real estate team at ECIJA utilises the bench strength of offices in 17 countries spanning Central America, Europe and Asia, and working relationships with Magic Circle firms such as Clifford Chance LLP, to advise national and multinational developers, investors and corporates, across such sectors as energy and hospitality, on the financing and construction of projects including resorts and residential communities. The firm’s full service extends to matters ranging from acquisitions of assets, construction agreements, concession processes and environmental matters to the obtaining of financing facilities, and setting up property in a condominium regime. Guillermo Zúniga leads the team, bringing decades of experience to assisting with complex real estate projects and transactions involving concessions in the Maritime Zone, the forestry industry, protected areas, condominiums and luxury hotels. Other key figures include Mercedes Sancho, who utilises a background as a real estate, tourism and luxury development in-house counsel, and associate Ana Cristina Mora, who assists with due diligence research procedures on properties, procedures to obtain transaction permits and the creation of investment vehicles.

Leveraging the bench strength of offices in 17 countries spanning Central America, Europe and Asia, and working relationships with Magic Circle firms such as Clifford Chance LLP, and bolstered by the firm’s March 2023 alliance with Taylor Wessing, the corporate and M&A team at ECIJA advises major multinationals (including Sanofi) on day-to-day matters and high-value, cross-border transactions. The practice’s services cover matters ranging from M&A, due diligence and corporate governance to commercial contracts and foreign investments. The group’s active client base spans the pharmaceuticals, energy, financial services, consumer goods, e-commerce, tourism, automotive and agrochemicals industries. The team is headed by corporate structure expert Guillermo Zúñiga, who has led the practice for over 20 years, and who brings strength to managing complex distribution schemes and matters involving the real estate and energy sectors. Other key figures include real estate specialist Mercedes Sancho, who brings expertise to advising NGOs and foundations seeking to establish a presence in Costa Rica, and experienced associate Monserrat Soto Roig. Since publication, the firm has also strengthened it global hallmark practice of TMT with the hire of former vice minister Edwin Estrada; previously at the country’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunication, he joined the firm as of counsel in March 2024.

Spanish firm ECIJA has continued apace with its expansion in Latin America, launching an office in Uruguay in April 2023, and has already established a strong platform in Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic. Clients in the region can also benefit from the firm’s recent alliance with Taylor Wessing LLP. Commercial and M&A specialist Guillermo Zúñiga leads the corporate team in Costa Rica (which is based across two offices), while Alfredo Navas Duarte is the key contact for corporate and finance matters in El Salvador. Rosalinda Cruz Sequeira and Roberto Williams steer the corporate practice from the firm’s two Honduras offices. Marcos Palma is the key figure in Guatemala and Daniel Shamah heads the corporate team in Panama.